Electric switch



' Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

JERSEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL H. CHASON. O3 ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SINGER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JEBSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed January This invention relates to electric switches and more especially to electric switches adapted for use in incandescent lamp sockets. The invention has for an object to rovide a a switch mechanism which has quic make and break movements and which is of simple, strong and durable construction and eas to assemble and repair.

feature of the invention is the making of the insulating support for the contact elements in two separable sections which are held together by a single centrally disposed bolt and on one of which the movable contact element is mounted at one side of such bolt; one or more stationary contacts being mounted on the other of the separable sections of the insulating support.

The movable contact element and its actu ating means are preferably initially assembled on the side wall of a metal angle bracket which latter and parts carried thereby may be easily mounted as a unit in a channelway in one of the sections of the in sulating support. In a similar channelway in the mating section of the insulating support, one or preferably two stationary contact elements are mounted, in spaced relation and in position to be engaged or bridged by the movable contact element. The parts of the switch mechanism are thus rendered readily accessible, making it an easy matter to assemble or disassemble the device.

In the accompan ing drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an meandescent lamp socket embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the socket insides lookin into one end of the channelway through the insulating support. Fig.

3 is a top plan view of the lower section of the insulatin support showin the stationary contact elements mounted t hereon. Fig.

4 is a reverse or bottom plan view of the parts shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the upper section of the insulating support showing the movable contact element and its operatin mechanism.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detai perspective views of the several parts of the switch mechanism.

While the present switch mechanism is adapted for many uses, it is shown as embodied in a lamp socket only. Referring to the drawings. 1 represents the socket shell, 2 the cap and 3 the lining, within which is 23, 1925. Serial No. 4,156.

disposed the socket insides comprising the insulating support which is preferably moulded in two mating sections 1%, 5, from a suitable insulating material such as bakelite. A central bolt 6 may have its headed end imbedded by moulding in the lower section 5; the other end of such bolt being threaded to receive the nut 8 which holds the sections 4 and 5 in assembled relation. To insure against a relative rotary shift of he sections 4 and 5, one of them mav be formed with projections 9 which enter cortresponding depressions 10 in the other secion.

The section 4 of the insulating support is formed with a transverse channelway 11 in which is mounted the sheet-metal bracket 12 carrying the movable contact element 13 and its actuating mechanism. The bracket 12 has an angular foot portion l-l which is sccured to the bottom wall of the channelway 11, Fig. 5, by means of screws 15'. It also is formed with two stop-elements 15, Fig. 0, and a hole 16 in which is riveted the pivot pin 17.

Disposed flatwise against the bracket 12 is the arm 18, Fig. 7, of which the movable contact element 13 is an integral part; the element 13 being in the form of a tongue bent to stand at an angle to the plane of the arm 18. The arm 18 has a pivot hole 19 and an end lip 20 formed with an aperture 21 through which extends one extremity of the bar 22, the other end of which is pivotally connected at 23 to the operating lever 24 which latter is pivoted on the pin 17 and is separated from the arm 18 by a washer '25, Fig. 5, equal in thickness to the bar 22. The bar 22 is surrounded by a coil spring :26 the ends of which press, respectively. again t the lip 20 on the carrier 18 and shoulders 27, Fig. 9, on the bar 22. The operating lever 24 is formed with oppositely directed stop arms 28 which engage the stationary stops 15 on the bracket 12 to limit the movementof such lever in opposite directions.

It will be understood that the lever 24, bar 22, spring 26 and arm 18 form a toggle device and that the spring operates to snap the arm 18 quickly from one of its extreme positions to the other when, in the movement of the operating lever, the pivot 23 crosses alincment with the pivot 17 and aperture 21.

The section 5 of the insulating support is formed with a transverse channelway 2.), similar to the 'channelway 11 in the section 4. In the bottom of the channelway :39 are secured the stationary contact springs 30, 3 The contact 30 is electrically connected to the terminal screw 32, Fig. 3, while the contact 31 is connected to the usual springpin contact element 33. The remaining terminal screw 3% is connected directly to the other spring-pin contact element 35.

In one extreme position of the arm 18, the movable contact 13 is retracted from the stationary contacts 30, 31, as shown in full lines, Fig. 2, and the circuit is open. In the other extleme position of the contact member 13, shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, it electrically bridges the gap between the contacts 30, 31, and thus closes the circuit.

The handle of the operating lever may be provided with a moulded knob 36 of suitable insulating material.

The contact member 30 is preferably made longer and more springy than the contact member 31 and is so bent as to be engaged by the movable contact member 13, in the circuit closin movement of the latter, before the stiti er contact member 31 is enga ed. This provision insures the continued ma 'ng of eificient electrical contact after long periods of use and avoids the necessity of usin extreme care in adjusting the contacts w en assembling the device.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is 1. An electric switch comprising a cy lindrical insulating support split transversely of its axis into two separable sections the meeting faces of which are formed with regis ering channelways, a cen rally disposed L-olt for holding said sections in ass-.mbled reiation, an angle bracket having its bottom portion secured to the bottom wall of the channelway in one of said sections, stationary contact means mounted in the channelway in the other section, and a spring-toggleopera ed movable contact mechanism mounted on the side port-ion of said angle bracket at one side of said bolt and including a movable contact element adapted to engage the stationary contact means.

1. In an electric switch mechanism, a pair of spaced stationary contact members, a s r ngtoggle-operated bridging contact member adapted to press in substantially the s.- me direction upon each of said stationary contact members, one of said stationary contact members being longer than the other and in the form of a leaf spring arranged to he engaged first by the movable contact memher in the circuit closing movement of the latter.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

DANIEL H. CHASON. 

